The purpose of part I is to illustrate through empirical examples how changing work and labour market practices are impacted by the European policy agenda. Empirical evidence is drawn from the information and consultation of workers through European Work Councils and the intervention of labour courts (Claude Didry, chapter 2); employability and labour force management in firms (Bénédicte Zimmermann, chapter 3) the creation of jobs through the stimulation of innovation and co-operation between firms (Martin Heidenreich, chapter 4); the engagement of public and private actors into pacts for employment and territorial development (Serafino Negrelli, chapter 5); encouraging local governance as a way of making State intervention more efficient and flexibl (Pierre-Paul Zalio, chapter 6). These studies were chosen because they together represent the operation of core European concepts and mechanisms (information and consultation, employability, inter-firm cooperation and local governance). Part I concludes with a contribution from a participant in European social dialogue. Drawing upon European experience, Robert Villeneuve in chapter 7 advocates a more participative European governance, making employment, social dialogue and territorial development truly interact.